—Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions Invite Residents and Visitors to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in NYC—

New York City (January 19, 2011)—NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today highlighted events taking place across the City in celebration of Valentine’s Day. More than 50 million visitors fell in love with NYC last year, and this February grants another opportunity to visit the City’s sites and attractions while enjoying special deals. Whether celebrating with friends or a significant other, NYC has a fun experience to offer everyone.

“New York City is the destination to celebrate the people, places and activities that we love,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Spending time in our varied and vibrant neighborhoods on Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to merge all of these interests into a memorable account.”

Valentine’s Day events taking place throughout the City this February include:

Gray Line’s Night on the Town Tour
View the City’s lit skyline from atop a double-decker bus with Gray Line’s Night on the Town Tour. This package includes a guided motorcoach tour, a guided walking tour through The High Line, dinner in Little Italy, a cruise aboard a New York Water Taxi with champagne and close-ups of the Statue of Liberty, and a ticket to visit the Top of the Rock Observatory; newyorksightseeing.com.

Hornblower Hybrid’s Dinner CruisesFebruary 11 and 14; 7—10pm

America’s most eco-friendly luxury vessel will celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dinner Cruises on Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February, 14. Both three-hour yacht cruises will feature a four-course seated dinner with entertainment, dancing and a complimentary sparkling wine with dessert. Tickets are $99 per person; reservations are only available by calling 1-888-467-6256; hornblower.com

Spirit Cruises
Spirit Cruises is offering Valentine’s Day weekend dining cruises around the City with buffets, music, dancing and climate-controlled decks for stargazing; spiritofnewyork.com.

Dylan’s Candy Bar
Treat a loved one with chocolates that send a message. Friendly, flirty or romantic, these special Valentine’s Day sweets creatively convey you care; dylanscandybar.com/valentines.

2012 Winter Starlight Music Series at Top of the RockWednesdays, February 1–18; 6–8pm
Tuesday, February 14; 6–8pm

Top of the Rock’s Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center will host live music throughout the month of February as part of its 2012 Winter Starlight Music Series. The events will take place on Wednesday evenings, February 1 to 18, from 6 to 8pm and feature artists such as Angela Workman, country & bluegrass band Dive Bar Dukes and The Nick Bucci Band. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the City, along with wine, champagne and other refreshments for sale from AJ Maxwell’s Steakhouse.

The Winter Music Series will include a special performance on Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 14 from 6 to 8pm with sounds from the Hans Holzen Trio; topoftherocknyc.com.

18th Annual Valentine’s Day Weddings Event at the Empire State BuildingFebruary 14

Four winning couples will say “I do” with a private, personalized wedding ceremony—created by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie—during the 18th annual Valentine’s Day Weddings Event at the Empire State Building. Couples from across the country submitted videos describing their love stories and why they should be chosen to marry or renew their vows at ESB. After 16 semi-finalists were selected by a panel of experts, the public voted for their favorite couples online. Valentine’s Day is the only time when couples are able to marry at the building.

The Empire State Building will also light up in red, white and pink at sundown; esbnyc.com.

America's first and only champions-only dog show will showcase 2,000 dogs over two days in February. This year’s event will mark the 136th show; individual breed judging will take place each day between the hours of 8am and 6pm; “Best In Show” will be judged on Tuesday evening; westminsterkennelclub.org.

Learn how to create a Mexican Valentine’s Day feast with for a loved one with Executive Chef Ivy Stark. At $65 a person, this three-hour class will feature handmade cocktails, spiked hot chocolate, cocoa- and chile-rubbed sirloin, strawberries dipped in honey and more; a signed copy of Chef Stark’s new cookbook, Dos Caminos’ Mexican Street Food: 120 Authentic Recipes to Make at Home, is also included. To reserve a spot, contact Special Events at 212-331-0328; doscaminos.com.

AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar West VillageFebruary 13–14

Enjoy Valentine’s Day dinner in a romantic setting of candles and rose petal–covered tables. A skillfully prepared three-course menu will be offered by Executive Chef Brian Gruskin for $74; items include goat cheese brûlée with mixed field greens and toasted walnuts, cocoa braised beef short rib with truffle cauliflower mash, and a 20-layer crêpes cake brûlée paired with a glass of 2006 Monbazillac Château Belingard from France; ayzanyc.com/west-village/index.html

db Bistro ModerneFebruary 14

This renowned restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud is offering heartwarming winter dishes including sweet potato agnolotti with Brussels sprouts and pancetta, roasted veal chop with black trumpet mushrooms and a marrow crust, and heart shaped bourbon-maple crème brûlée. Also being offered on Valentine’s Day is a three-course pre-theater menu for $75 per person from 5 to 6:30pm. The Chef’s Five-Course Tasting menu for $125 per person will be available beginning at 7pm, and à la carte dining will start at 9:30pm; 212-391-2400; danielnyc.com.

In celebration of romance and love, the Hotel Gansevoort is offering early 2pm check-in, pool access with a complimentary poolside beverage, chilled bottle of champagne, fresh strawberries, chocolate body frosting, a complimentary movie, chocolate truffles at turn down, continental breakfast for two in Tanuki Tavern, and late 2PM checkout from February 1 to 29; hotelgansevoort.com/specials-packages

Staten Island’s Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites are offering a variety of couples packages between Friday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 14. From a Valentine’s three-course dinner to a jazz brunch, spa dream deal, cabaret evening and overnight getaways, the two hotel properties are prepared to cater to any of your desires; hiltongardeninn.com and hamptoninn.hilton.com.

The Peninsula New York is offering one couple an exclusive opportunity to experience a private five-course poolside dinner and swim in the hotel’s 22nd-floor glass-enclosed swimming pool on February 14, 2012. A personal attendant, vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot, ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ monogrammed robes and slippers, as well as a candle and rose presentation are included for $1,500 (not including tax and gratuity). The Private Poolside Dinner en Amoureux will be available from 9pm to midnight on Tuesday, February 14. The reservation must be secured by February 10; 212-903-3923; peninsula.com.

Ace Hotel and Jimmyjane’s In-Room Entertainment Package
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Ace Hotel is collaborating with Jimmyjane to offer new pleasures to guests in their New York location. Beginning January 9, visitors can upgrade certain room types with the Ace Hotel x Jimmyjane package when they book their stay. The room upgrade provides guests with a selection of romantic in-room amenities; acehotel.com/newyork.

The London NYC’s Modern Romance Package
Celebrate an evening with a relaxing 60-minute massage in the privacy of a personal suite. An assortment of canapés is prepared and delivered by Gordon Ramsay’s culinary team and paired with their signature martini; thelondonnyc.com/specials-packages/the-modern-romance.

Mandarin Oriental’s Midnight Magic Over Manhattan
The award-winning Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, New York, has created a late-night romantic experience with its Valentine's Day Midnight Magic Over Manhattan deal. Included are exclusive access to the VIP Spa Suite with its private steam room, hot tub, fireplace and side-by-side massage beds; 212-805-8800, monyc-reservations@mohg.com

The Pierre’s A Winter Romance Package
The hotel’s Romance Designers will work with guests to create romantic experiences during their stay. Visitors will also have access to the exclusive Lover’s Trunk, an in-room menu, continental breakfast for two in Le Caprice and two beverages from Two E Bar/Lounge’s Chocolate Cocktail Festiva. Available for suites only, rates start at $650; tajhotels.com.

The Surrey Hotel & Spa
Customize your stay or select the hotel’s Ultimate Romance package which features a couple’s massage at The Spa, champagne, and chocolate turn down and rose-scented Diptyque candles; upgrades are also available. The offer is valid for stays through December 31, 2012. Booking code is ROMANC; thesurrey.com.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.